|
goto (T)
| NAME: |
Zithi 'Todd' Gertrude Twala |
|
|
|
| SKILLS: |
Act, Sing, Dance,
Producer, Choreographer, |
|
|
|
AWARDS
A=Award
N=Nomination |
| 2001 |
A: South Africa Choeographer
|
Black Eagle Awards, USA |
| 2001 |
A: Musical Production
A: Musical Revue
(Umoja) |
FNB Vita Awards 2001 |
|
|
VOLUNTEER/
COMMUNITY: |
| since 1996 |
Dance Workshops in disadvantaged
communities & townships |
Organizer & Instructor |
|
|
|
BUSINESS: |
|
School for Professional
Dancing & Singing |
Director & Instructor |
|
|
THEATRE
A=Award
N=Nomination |
| 2009 Jan |
'Umoja' (dir:)
|
as Choreographer
& Co-Creator |
| 2001 |
'Umoja' |
as Choreographer
& Co-Creator |
| 2000 |
'Beyond The Rainbow' at (Sun City) |
as Choreographer
& Creator |
| 2000 |
'Baobab - An African Musical' |
as Choreographer
& Co-Creator |
| 1992 |
'Baobab' |
as Choreographer
& Co-Creator |
| 1991 |
'Sekunjalo' by Hugh Masekela |
as Choreographer |
| 1988 |
'Sikhulu' by David Meyer |
as Choreographer |
| 1985 |
'Kings Africa' by Des & Dawn Lindberg |
as Choreographer
& A-S-D |
| 1984 |
'Pulse of Africa' |
as Choreographer
& A-S-D |
| 1979 |
'Ipi Ntombi' by Bertha Egnos |
Origional Cast
as Singer & Dancer |
| 1977 |
'Lulu Wena' by Bertha Egnos |
as Singer & Dancer |
| 1975 |
'Meropa' (dir:Victor Ntoni) |
as Singer & Dancer |
|
|
BIOGRAPHY
Todd Twala's career as a dancer, singer and choreographer in South African
musical theatre, both in her home country and abroad, spans nearly 3 decades.
Todd began her musical career in 1975 with Joan Brickhill-Burke &
Louis Burke's production of MEROPA under the direction of Victor Ntoni.
She toured as a dancer and singer locally and in England where she performed
in a Royal Command Performance for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Next
came LULU WENA, in 1977, by Bertha Egnos. Todd toured Ontario, Canada
as a singer and dancer.
In 1979 she joined the original cast of IPI NTOMBI by Bertha Egnos, touring
the USA, New Zealand, Germany, Israel, England, Nigeria, Ireland, Australia,
Scandinavia, France and Ghana as a singer, dancer and choreographer. Todd
was later to choreograph for the same show in 1988, which toured Australia
and New Zealand.
From 1984 Todd's career as a choreographer took off with PULSE OF AFRICA.
She also participated as a singer, dancer and choreographer and the show
toured Swaziland. From there on her musical credits include working
with Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse as a singer and choreographer; choreographing
and performing in Des & Dawn Lindberg's KING AFRICA; forming the first
multiracial all girl group "CHESS" which toured internationally.
In 1988 Todd choreographed SIKHULU by David Meyer. The show toured
Switzerland, Ireland, England, Nigeria, France, Germany and Denmark.
In the same year Todd was awarded the Black Eagle Award in the USA for
Best South African Choreographer. In 1991 came SEKUNJALO
by Hugh Masekela which also toured nationally.
The seeds of UMOJA were sown in 1992 when she teamed up
with Thembi Nyandeni with the creation of a stage production
called BAOBAB. In the year 2000, BAOBAB - AN AFRICAN MUSICAL,
was staged to welcome the President of China on his visit to South Africa.
Todd then choreographed BEYOND THE RAINBOW at Sun City - a
Chinese and South African Cultural Exchange.
The year 2001 saw the fruition of UMOJA. UMOJA garnered
the First National Bank VITA AWARD for Best Musical Production and
the First National Bank VITA AWARD for Best Review in 2001. The show
has also appeared in the Sowetan 2000 Awards.
Todd's community awareness and dedication to furthering young talent
is evident in her commitment to teaching and training. She has,
since 1996, groomed and trained young dancers and held dance workshops
in disadvantaged communities and townships; she also opened a dance
school to train professional singers and dancers.
|
|
